Sports News

Maradona fever in Scotland while England and Germany clash

Diego MaradonaHamburg - The tie between England and Germany at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin may be the most high-profile international friendly on this week but much attention will also be on Diego Maradona's Argentina, who take on Scotland in his first match in charge.

Maradona arrived in Scotland to a hero's welcome at the weekend with Scottish fans clambering for autographs, many clutching a picture of his "hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

Youngsters called up as Spain seek to end year on a high

Youngsters called up as Spain seek to end year on a highVillarreal, Spain - Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has won applause by calling up young strikers Fernando Llorente and Juan Mata for Wednesday's friendly against Chile.

Llorente, 23, is the tall and angular centre-forward for struggling Athletic Bilbao, strong in the air though not a natural goalscorer.

Mata, 20, in contrast, is small and unimposing, but has good movement and a lethal left foot.

His goals helped Valencia win the King's Cup last season, and he started this season like a house on fire.

Symonds admits alcohol abuse cost him his place in Oz squad

Symonds admits alcohol abuse cost him his place in Oz squadMelbourne, Nov. 17: Controversial Australian cricket all-rounder Andrew Symonds has revealed that his excessive drinking was one of the reasons behind his dramatic fall from grace in Australian cricket.

Symonds, now set to be included in Australia''s starting XI for Thursday''s first Test against New Zealand, was quoted by Fox Sports as saying how he had "turned bad" and started drinking too much following last summer''s controversial Monkeygate affair where he felt he had not been supported by Cricket Australia.

Offie Krezja can be Oz's star spinner for next decade, says ex-player

Offie Krezja can be Oz's star spinner for next decade, says ex-playerMelbourne, Nov. 17: Australian of-spinner Jason Krezja has the potential to play for his country for the next decade, provided he measures up to expectations and keeps his private life in order, believes former Australian off-spinner Colin Miller.

Miller, who took 69 wickets at 26 in 18 Tests, was quoted by the Courier Mail as saying: "I can see him playing for the next 10 years if he can keep his life in order and handle all the expectations."

Watson could get first look-in in Gabba Test due to stormy weather: Oz coach

Australian coach Tim NielsenSydney, Nov. 17 : Australian all-rounder Shane Watson could be given first preference ahead of Andrew Symonds in the first Test against New Zealand to be played later this week at the Gabba in Brisbane, because of the inclement weather prevailing in that region.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Watson and Symonds are competing for the sole all-rounder’s berth in the Australian XI.

There is a view within the team management that the prospect of rain and humidity in Brisbane might suit Watson''s bowling strengths.

Djokovic now a huge threat to Federer for 2009 season

Djokovic now a huge threat to Federer for 2009 seasonShanghai  - Novak Djokovic has become a massive danger to the 2009 fightback dreams of Roger Federer after the resurgent Serb won the Masters Cup title at the weekend.

Through his 6-1, 7-5 defeat of Nikolay Davydenko at the Qi Zhong stadium, world number three Djokovic has now climbed to within a hair-thin 10 points of the Swiss star, who was knocked out in the group stage at a year-end event for the first time in his career as he lost to Andy Murray.

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